Threesome

We've really got a regatta now! Yesterday's races tightened up the spread with the top three boats only one point apart each but today’s action failed to have any one boat make a big break and move up ahead of the pack on the leader board.

Day three of the regatta, North Sails Day, once again featured the top boats with finishes all over the place and still the top two boats Steadfast (CAN) and Printel Wind (ITA) are tied in points for first place with Alina (ITA) only one point behind. Another tie exists for fourth with Foreign Affair (AUS) and Illusion (USA) both with 72 points.

The final day of racing will tell the tale of who will be the World Champion for 2002 in the Mumm 30 One Design Class.

The day started off foggy with low visibility but the sun periodically broke through as two weather systems converged over the Chesapeake Bay. The breeze began at 7-9 knots and continually clocked towards the SE.

The Annapolis Yacht Club Race Committee set the first course of the day, race seven of the series, about 3/4 of a mile north of Thomas Point Light with the windward mark again towards the eastern shore of the bay. Several boats were over early for the start as the Race Committee issued a general recall and used
this opportunity to reset the course as the breeze banged right about 20
degrees at the start.

Again several boats were OCS and headed back to re-cross the line. Notorious (CAN) was the first around the windward mark followed by Alyssa Ashley (MON) and Foreign Affair. The boats had a smooth ride for the first leg; the water was flat and the breeze consistent although light. Most boats came up the right side of the course. The regatta leaders were further back in the pack with Printel Wind and Steadfast in the middle, 2001 World Champion Alina rounded in 9th.

Well done to Pegasus (USA) who made it out to the water today after some major repairs done last night after a collision yesterday.

The Race Committee sounded a horn signaling a course change as the wind continued to clock around to the SE and build to 10-12 knots with more wind lines coming in. They reset the windward mark and offset mark for the last rounding.

The leaders again chose the right side of the course, as that was where the breeze was building. Notorious, Alyssa Ashley and Foreign Affair were neck and neck heading to the finish, screaming downwind with a 10-boat lead on the rest of the fleet. Foreign Affair got a huge puff just as they
approached the line to take the gun followed by Alyssa Ashley and Notorious
in that order.

A 26 second gap separated the top three from the rest of the
fleet with Alina across the line in 4th followed by Fuzzy Logic(USA).
continued on page 2...